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pin_gween writes "The Washington Post reports on the probable abuse of the National Student Loan Data System. The database was created in 1993 to help determine which students are eligible for financial aid. Students' Social Security numbers, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, and loan balances are in the database. It contains 60 million student records and is covered by federal privacy laws. Advocates worry that businesses are trolling for marketing data they can use to bombard students with mass mailings or other solicitations. The department has spent over $650,000 in the past four years protecting the data. However, some senior education officials are advocating a temporary shutdown of access to the database until tighter security measures can be put in place."

Then the phone calls came. I tell them all that I have already consolidated, yet they continue.

Hi, you called <me/>, first class provider of premium customer service coaching for dodgey loan consolidation services providers. Before we begin, I'm obliged to tell you that this call is being recorded for customer service and validation reasons and that by continuing to use this coaching service, you are agreeing on behalf of your dodgey loan consolidation service provider to be bound by the terms and conditions available online at <free_host_where_I_posted_an_outrageous_contract>. Also you are reminded that if this is a second call by a respresentative of the dodgey loan consolidation service provider you represent, you are agreeing their behalf to the conditions of our $250000 per minute premium service as described in section 3.6a subsection z of the contract found at <free_host_where_I_posted_an_outrageous_contract>, do you understand?

.....If things get any further..........

Thank you, but I have already consolidated my loans and I'm really not interested.

Now I would advise, in order to provide the best possible customer service, you hang up. If this doesn't work for you, please call back for a premium consultation. Have a nice day. *click*